Means for condensing fluids



May 9, 1939;

E. FRENKEN MEANS FOR CONDENSING FLUIDS Filed May 23. 1936 EnoF RenkenPatented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATE 5 PATENT OFFICE f This inventionrelates to new, and useful improvements in condensing apparatus.

One object 'of the invention is to provide an improved condensingapparatus'.wherein the com- 5' paratively cool condensed liquid isforced into intimate contact with the fluid to be condensed,

- whereby the temperature of the condensed liquid 'is utilized to aid incondensing said fluid.

Another object of the invention is to provide an 10 improved condenserwhich is particularly adapted for use with refrigerating systemsemploying a volatile fluid, such as ammonia, as a. refrigerating medium.

' An important object'of the invention is to pro- 16 vide thecombination with a mechanical refrigerator of a self-contained condenserunit wherein the comparatively cool liquid condensate 'is utilized tocondense the incoming hot gas, thereby eliminating the provision of anauxiliary cooli refrigerating unit of an ordinary, mechanical '20 m ingmedium or unit.

A'further object of the invention is to provide acondenser for arefrigerating system which system employs a compressor for circulatingthe refrigerating medium, the condenser including a'sealed condensingchamber wherein the condensed-liquid is maintained at a level; thecompressor being located within the chamber whereby the hot gas-isreleased into said chamber, and means for agitating or spreading thecondensed liquid within the chamber, whereby the comparatively coolliquid condenses the gas and also cools the compressor by dissipatingthe heat incidentalto its operation. e i

A particular object of the invention is to utilize a the power of thecompressor motor. for agitating or spreading the condensed liquid withinthe condensing chamber, whereby said liquid isforced into intimatecontact with' the gas to be -condensed.

40 A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedcondenser which'is constructed of a minimum number of parts and which isprovlded with cooling means, whereby it operates under lowertemperatures, at all times, which 45 greatly increases theefliciencythereof.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features of the invention.

. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading ofthefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing,in

which an example of the invention is shown, and

wherein: r e

' 1 Figure 1 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of a condensingunit, constructed in accordance with the invention,

' Figure 2 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 2- 2ofFig'ure l, Figure 3"is a view, similar to Figure 1, showin 5 a waterjacket surrounding the condenser, and Figure '4 is a detail viewof oneform of agitator. In the drawing, the numeral l0 designates-a casing orhousing which is. preferably constructed of metal, or other suitablematerial. .The casing is provided with a bottom Ill" and the upper endof the casing" is' flanged, whereby-a top H may be bolted or otherwisesecured thereto. The interior of--th e casingforms a condensing chamberi2. The casing is preferably cylindrical in shape and has a pluralityofradially extending fins 13 formed on its exteriorsurfaceand these finsserve to air cool thechamber l2.

The usual compressor and motorunit ll of the refrigeratorinot shown) isbolted or otherwise removably fastened to the underside of. thetop ll,whereby .when said top ismounted on the casing the compressor and motordepend into the condensing chamber i2 formed within the 5 casing ill.The compressor includes the usual cylinder l5 having-the pistonlioperating therein. A gas-inlet pipe l 1 extends through the top H ofthe casing-and is connected with the cylinder l5,whereby the hotgases'are conducted to said '30 cylinder. .A gas outlet pipe l8leadsfrom the:

piston and this pipe releases the gas into the interior of thecondenserfchamber 12. The piston .16 of the cylinder is reciprocat'ed'by a crank l9 which is formed on the shaft of the motor; .35-

.The gas or vapor which is condensed within the chamber l2 will,of'course, fall to the bottom or lower-end of the chamber and will becondensed into a liquid form. The condensed liquid is conducted fromthechamber l2 throughan outlet 40 pipe 2| which extends radially throughthe wall of thecasing Ill. The pipe M is located at some distance fromthe bottoni' ill of the casing, and it is obvious that the location ofsaid pipe will maintain a predetermined level of the condensed liquidwithin thechamber. i2.

For sprayingthe condensed liquid upwardly into the chamber l2 and, intointimate contact with the incoming hot gases, the motor shaft 20 isextended downwardly from the crank Hand 5 blades 23. Manifestly, whenthe motor and compressor are operating, the agitator 22 is rotated andserves to spray the condensed liquid standing within the casing upwardlyinto, the chamber i2 and into intimate contact with the hot gas or vaporwhich is released into this chamber from the outlet pipe l8. The liquidwhich is sprayed upwardlyis relatively cool and also contacts the motorand the compressor to aid in cooling these parts.

The operation of the device is obvious. The hot gas will enter thecompressorthrough the inlet pipe "11 and will be released into thecondensing chamber l2 through the outlet pipe l8. At the same time, theagitator 22 will be rotated whereby the liquid condensate is sprayed; up

wardly within the chamber l2 into contact with this hot gas or vapor.The condensed liquid is comparatively cool and will materially aid toeffect a condensation of the gas or vapor within the chamber. It is awell known fact that a-fine spray will-more efficiently condense a gasor vapor and, therefore, the agitator is utilized to produce such aspray, The coolingfins 13 on the outer surface of the casing-I 0 providean increasedsurface for conducting away the heat-withinthe chamber l2 totheoutside air. These fins also aid in dissipating the heat oi.thestanding condensed liquid in the bottom of the casing, whereby cool-'ing of said liquid will be increased.

It is pointed out that the unit is self-contained and may be readilyemployed with the usual mechanical refrigerator: By providing theremovable top "and fastening themotor and compressor unit thereto, it'is'possibleto remove said compressor and motor by'merely removing saidtop. The liquid, which is sprayed upwardly, not'only is utilizedtocondense the-hot gases'end vapors, but is also utilized to cool themotor and compressor, whereby these parts operate under a minimumtemperature at all'times, which greatly increases their ei flciency.

The invention is not to be limited-to the provision of the cooling fins13 on the outer surface of the casing ID, as various othermeans'of'cool- 'ing the chamber and dissipating the heat therein may beemployed." In Figure 3, the casing'is whereby said casing may-be housedtherein". The

It is pointed but that 9.. parti ular type oi jwalls ofi-thecasing l0are'sp aced from the inner walls of the'jacket 24 by suitable ribs 25.The

upper end of, the jacket2l is formed witl'i an annular flange 26,whereby a suitable closure or cover 21 may be bolted or otherwisesecured thereto. The inlet pipe I] I extends through an'opening'28in thetop 21 and a suitable packing gland 29 may surround this pipe. Theoutlet pipe 2| which conducts the liquid condensate from the interior,of the. chamber l2 extends outwardly through an opening 30 formed in thewallof the 'iacket 2. Cold water, or some other cooling medium, isintroduced into the jacket to fill the space between said jacket andjthecasing it, through an inlet pipe 3| which is located at the upper end ofthe jacket in the wall thereof. Manifestly, the water jacket acts as acooling medium to coolthechambei l2.and quickly dissipate the heattherein. The operation of this form is exactly the same as that shown inFigure 1.

tater has been disclosed, but the invention is no;

to be limited, to an agitator of this construction.

It is manifest that various types of agitators or.

Spreaders may be employed and, so long as the power of the compressormotor is utilized to perform the spraying of the liquid, the purposes ofthe invention are accomplished.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A condenser for the refrigerating medium of a refrigerating systemincluding, a casing having the motor and compressor of said systemlocated therein, means for maintaining a level of the liquid condensatewithin the container, and

. means for releasing the fiuid to be condensed from the compressor intothe container above the liquid level, and vmeans operated by the motorcompressor into the container above the liquid level, means operated, bythe motor for spreading the liquid upwardly within the container intocontact-with the fluid to effect condensation thereof, and a waterjacket surrounding the container for cooling the same to enhancecondensaliquid upwardlywithin the container into contact with the fluidto, condense the same.

4. A condenser for the refrigerating medium of a-refrigerating systemincluding, a casing having the motor and compressor of said system 10-catedtherein, means for maintaining a level, of the liquid condensatewithin the container, means actuated by the rotation of the motor shaftfor forcing the fluid to be condensed into the container above theliquid level, and an agitator secured to the motor shaft and rotatablewithin the liquid level for spreading the liquid upwardly within the,container into contactwith the .fiuid to condense'the same. p

5. A condenser for the refrigerating medium of a refrigerating systemincluding, a casing having the motor and compressor of said systemlocated -therein, means for maintaining a level of the liquid condensatewithin the container, means for releasing the fluid to be condensed fromthe compressor into the container above the liquid level, an agitatorsecuredto the motor shaft and rotatable within the liquid level forspreading the liquid upwardly within the container into contact with thefiuidto condense thesame, and a water jacket surrounding the'containerfor coolving the same to enhance condensation of the fluid therein.

I 6. condenser for the refrigerating medium of a refrigerating systemincluding, a casing having the i do: and compressor of said systemlocated means for maintaining a level of the ondensate within thecontainer, means r '1' the rotation of the motor shaft for forcing thefluid to be condensed into the container above the liquid level, anagitator secured to the motor shaft and rotatable within the liquidlevel for spreading the liquid upwardly within' the container intocontact with the fluid to condense the same, and a water jacketsurrounding the container for cooling the same to enhance condensationof the fluid therein.

7. The combination with a'mechanical refrigerator of a self-containercondenser unit including, a closed casing forming a condensing chamberwhich has the motor and compressor of said refrigerator mounted in itsupper end, whereby the motor shaft extends downwardly within thechamber, means for maintaining a suflicient level of liquid condensatewithin the container to submerge the lower end of the motor shaft, meansfor releasing the fluid to be condensed into the container above saidliquid level, and means mounted on the lower end of the motor shaft forspreading the liquid upwardly into contact with said fluid to effectcondensation thereof.

8. The combination with a mechanical refrigerator of a self-containedcondenser unit including, a closed casing forming a condensing chamberwhich has the motor and compressor of said refrigerator mounted in itsupper end,

whereby the motor shaft extends downwardly' ENO F. RENKEN.

